i-D’s A-Z of lgbtq idols

While the term ‘gay icon’ (think: Cher, Judy Garland, Elton) may no longer have resonance to a generation of LGBTQ youth, these current and historical artists, activists and advocates certainly do. From small acts of solidarity to full blown revolution...

A) Amandla StenbergFor being candid about her own nuanced sexuality, and opening a conversation about the vast spectrum of sexualities that exist but aren't discussed.Special mention: Alasdair McLellanFor his unique ability to portray both vulnerability and strength in young men through his imagery. The i-D contributor has created beautiful portraits of young men (and women) for two decades.

B) Bayard RustinA leader and tireless activist for civil rights, nonviolence and pacifism as well as gay rights, in 2013, Barack Obama posthumously awarded Bayard the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 26 years after his death.Special mention: Bisi AlimiA vocal HIV activist, Bisi Alimi took the extraordinarily brave step of coming out as gay on Nigerian national television in 2004. He now lives in London where he continues to campaign for LGBT rights.Special special mention: The BabadookNot the gay icon we deserved in 2017, but the gay icon we needed. Rumour has it the B in LGBT stands for Babadook.

The Babadook

C) Chelsea ManningA self-proclaimed "#Luminaire for Transparency", Chelsea Manning made history as the first transgender inmate to be permitted to undergo gender transition surgery, and became an LGBT icon in the process.Special mention: Carly Rae JepsenQueen of pop music, queen of the gays. Her last album Emotion banged.

D) David HockneyFor doing all those nice nude paintings you went and saw at the Tate earlier this year, and just for making stripey shirts a thing for such a long time.Special mention: David BowieFor his ambiguous sexuality and flamboyant fashion, which probably made it just a little bit easier for your Uncle Julian to come out to your grandparents.

Edward Enninful. Photography Wolfgang Tillmans

E) Edward EnninfulNot only has British Vogue's new Editor made history as the first black man to helm the style bible, he's also the first gay man to do so. A historic moment for the industry, especially when considering how much fashion owes the talent and innovation of both the black community and the gay community.Special mention: EllenFor being one of, if not the most, visible gay women in the world, and helping pave the way for greater acceptance in the entertainment industries.

F) Frank OceanFor changing the game. Channel Orange was a moment in time, a landmark in music, with same-sex pronouns used by an African-American male musician. Last year's follow-up, Blonde, and subsequent singles Lens and Chanel all touch on themes on queerness that're still rarely discussed in R&B and hip-hop.Special mention: Tom of FinlandA repressed gay man living in conservative Scandinavia, Tom of Finland created homoerotic illustrations that had a profound effect on 20th century gay culture.

G) Grayson PerryFor his thoughts on our outdated codes of masculinity, and his legs in a pair of heels. Two of the most compelling arguments for us to embrace a bit more gender fluidity.Special mention: Grace JonesFor being "Queen of the Gay Discos".

Hanne Gaby Odiele. Photography Mayan Toledano

H) Hanne Gaby OdieleFor publicly discussing her intersex status earlier this year, and opening a conversation sorely needed about gender identity.Special mention: HalseyFor being an open and honest bisexual singer in an industry that wants to reduce female bisexuality to a male fantasy.

I) Ilana from Broad CityCarefree and sexually liberated, we could all benefit from being a bit more like Ilana tbqh.Special mention: Iris ApfelNonagenarian Iris has been loud and proud about her unique style for nearly 100 years -- proof that fashion fades, style is eternal.

J) James BaldwinFor speaking out so honestly about systemic racism and homophobia when few others would, and inspiring optimism and activism in so many. Special mention: Barry JenkinsFor directing the Oscar-winning Moonlight, one of the most powerful, compelling coming-of-age stories of our generation; bringing the difficult intersection of black masculinity and queerness to the world's stage.

K) Kristen StewartFor not being shy about coming out. For clearing up, and for that shaved head. Special mention: Frankie KnucklesFor being the Godfather of House Music and having a profound effect upon the music our generation consumes and the clubs we attend.

L) Laverne CoxFor being a transgender trailblazer. The first transgender woman to be on the cover of TIME magazine, and to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy.Special mention: Bruce LaBruceFor making the decidedly unsexy strangely erotic for three decades.

M) Mykki BlancoFor bravely coming out as HIV positive publicly two years ago, Mykki Blanco made an important step in breaking down the stigmas attached to it in the music industry and beyond.Special mention: Mhairi BlackWhen the UK's youngest MP was asked about her decision to "come out" as gay, she answered "I've never been in."

Hari Nef. Photography Hanna Moon

N) Hari NefFor covering magazines, fronting billboards, and walking catwalks. As a proud, loud transgender woman and activist, this means so much. Special mention: Ingrid NilsenWith four million YouTube followers, beauty blogger Ingrid's "Coming out" video has now amassed over 16 million views and garnered almost 800,000 "likes". A big step when considering how often famous male "comings outs" can overshadow their female counterparts.

O) Owen JonesFor constantly calling out the homophobia of our elected politicians and mainstream media.Special mention: Olly AlexanderFor bringing more same-sex pronouns to the radio, and speaking out about the mental health pressures of being "Gay in a straight world."

Paris Lees. Photography Harry Carr

P) Marsha P JohnsonFor being instrumental in the gay liberation movement. Many say Johnson helped start the Stonewall uprising on 28 June 1969, and threw the first brick that shattered the Stonewall Inn's windows.Special mention: Paris LeesTo borrow from an old i-D headline, Paris Lees is more than a transgender rights activist, she's the voice of a generation.

Q) Quentin CrispYour problematic fave raconteur came out with some pretty bad comments but he also made some of the pithy comments you'll find on fridge magnets at Uncle Julian's house. Like: "The very purpose of existence is to reconcile the glowing opinion we hold of ourselves with the appalling things that other people think about us."Special mention: Christine and the QueensFor rejecting the label of bisexuality lazily placed upon her. When asked by the BBC about identifying as pansexual she said "It means that I can fall in love with someone regardless of their gender, regardless of how they define themselves."

Ruth Bell. Photography Mario Sorrenti

R) RuPaulFor being the world's most famous drag queen.Special mention: Ruth BellFor bringing her androgynous beauty to Dior's campaigns and catwalks.

S) Shirley MansonFor being the kindest, dog-loving, red-haired wierdo a girl could look up. For always reminding us that if someone doesn't love you for you who are then they're not worth it.Special mention: Collier SchorrFor her black-and-white portraits of beautiful young men and women. The i-D contributor's lens is raw, honest and, in many cases, queer. In an industry dominated by men, as a gay woman Collier's work stands out even more for offering a view so often ignored.

Photography Collier Schorr

T) Tilda SwintonFor her ethereal beauty, activism, and that time she held a rainbow flag while stood in front of a Moscow cathedral in support of the Russia's LGBT community.Special mention: Tom FordFor being the kind of suave, sophisticated gay man we all aspire to be.

U) Ursula from Little MermaidFor being the gateway merperson to Camp with a capital C.Special mention:Ugly Betty's gay nephewFor this coming out moment. Rarely does television paint it this low key yet heartfelt.

W) Wolfgang TillmansFor all those nice photos you saw at the Tate Modern a few months ago.Special mention: John WatersFor being the eternal 'Pope of Trash'.

X) The xxFor capturing the awkwardness of being young, gay and in love in their music so beautifully.Special mention: Xavier BettelFor being the world's only current and third ever openly gay head of government. His husband, Gauthier Destenay, went viral after joining the NATO leaders' wives in this photo.

Y) Young ThugFor wearing dresses on his album covers and his lack of belief in the gender binary. Thugger thugger!Special mention: Li YinheFor being "China's first sexologist." Li Yinhe is a vocal LGBT rights activist, and she and her transgender partner have been campaigning to legalise gay marriage in China for many years.

Z) Jay Z's mumFor sparking a conversation we rarely have, about the generation above us, who weren't granted the privilege of being openly gay for so long.Special mention: Zippy from Rainbow.Tbh I have no idea. We're done here.